Folding chair



FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 14, 1930 Jasph 5Zuermaz I I panyingdrawing, in which:

Patented Oct. 4, 1932 JOSEPH SILVERMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

FOLDING CHAIR Application filed May 14, 1930. Serial No. 452,235.

My present invention relates generally to folding chairs of the type having arms, a seat and legs, all of which are adapted to fold together so as to occupy the minimum amount of space. More particularly, the object of the present invention is the provision of a generally improved and simplified construction which may be economically produced and which will fold up compactly and have great strength, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the folding and unfolding operations may be performed with the minimum amount of effort.

Other objects and advantages of my 'in vention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of one embodiment of the same taken in conjunction with the accom- Figure 1 is a side elevation view of one type of chair embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the chair shown in Figure 1 when the same is folded;

Figure 3 is across sectional view corre- 2' sponding to the view shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional View showing one form of the improved construction of the arm rests, and corresponding to a View taken substantially along the line '35 H of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view of one of the arm rests on a scale somewhat reduced as compared with Figure 4, showing some parts of the arm a rest in cross section and other parts in ele- 5 vation, the view corresponding to one taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2; a

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary yiew, certain parts being shown in section, 1llustrating the pivotal connection between the legs and the side rails of the chair frame.

Referring to the drawing, the chair shown comprises generally aninverted tl-shaped frame 10 having parallel sides or .slde rails 12, the frame 10 being closed at one end, as by a generally curved intermediate portion 13, and open at the opposite end, as at 14,

A pair of legs 16 are pivoted at the1r upper ends, as at 17 to the opposite sides or side rails 12, the means for pivoting the legs to" 50 the side rails 12 comprising a plate member tubular cross section furnishes the greatest resistance to bending. It is to be understood, however,that the side rails 12 and the legs 16 may be formed of other shapes and, if desired, the legs 16 maybe pivoted to the side'rails 12 by a pin or bolt, such-connection being within the scope of my invention.

Arm rests 22 are pivoted at their rear ends to each of the side rails 12, the ends of the arm rests 22 being reduced in width at the point of pivotal connection with the side rails 12, which pivotal connection maybe effected by means of a pivot bolt or rivet 23 secured to the side rail 12. If desired, the bolt or rivet 23 may be secured to the arm rest 22'an'd ,pivotally received by the'side rail. The pivotal end of the arm rest 22, in addition to being reduced in width, may also be curved outwardly so that the lateral spacing of the arm rests proper may be. increased, as best shown in Figure 2.

As best shown in Figure 4, each arm rest 22 comprises a laterally extending contacting surface 25 and a downwardly depending flange 26 connected thereto andextending around the arm rest back to its point of pivotal connection with the side rail 12. A pair of oppositely facing channels 27 are secured, as by welding, to the under surface ofeach arm rest 22. Preferably, the flange of the channel which is secured to the arm rest 22 is made wider tha-n the opposite leg, this being for the purpose of strengthening and reinforcing the arm rests. The pair of channels 27 are placed back to back so that, in effect, they'provide a pair of grooves 29 extending longitudinally of the arm rests 22, as best shown in Figure 5, the purpose of which will be hereinafter made clear.

A seat 30'is pivoted between the side rails 12 and comprises a seat frame 31 of approximately rectangular shape and having rounded corners, and a bottom 32 secured to the frame 31 in any desired manner. Preferably, the seat frame 31 is formed of an angle member properly bent to provide the rounded corners and having the ends brought together and butt welded or secured together in any other desired manner. By employing a member of angle cross section in forming the seat frame 31 it will be'seen from Figure 3 that I provide a seat frame having a horizontal flange 34 and a depending downwardly extending flange 35 extending all around the seat frame 31.

As best shown in Figure 1, an arm 37 is secured to opposite sides of the seat frame 31, preferably by welding, and each arm has a portion 38 extending rearwardly a short distance from the seat frame 31. The arm 37 materially strengthens the side flanges 35.

The seat 30 is pivoted between the side rails 12 by means of pivot studs 40, each of which passes through the side flange 3'5 and the arm 37 and through the side rail 12 as best shown in Figure 2. The portion 38 of each arm 37 is provided with a pin or stud 42 which is received within a slot 43 formed on the inner side of each of the legs 16.

The arm rests, side rails, and legs are connected to fold together by means of a pair of brace members 45. Each of these braces 45 is pivotally connected to the side rail 12 to move or swing about a fixed axis thereon by means of a pin or pivot stud 46 passing through the side rail 12 and the member 45. The rear end of each of the members 45 carries an inwardly extending stud or pin 48 which extends into a slot 49 formed on the outside of each leg 16, as best shown in F igure '1. The forwardmost end of each member 45 is turned through 90 degrees, as indicated by the reference numeral 50 in Figures 1 and v5, and this end is bifurcated, as at 51, to provide a forked end having inturned spindles 52 upon each of which is'mounted a roller 53, best shown in Figure 4, which is adapted to slide or roll along the groove 27 formed by each channel 27. The channels 27 secured to each arm rest 22 thus, in effect, act as track means for the upper and forward ends of the brace members 45.

The operation of my chair in folding will be best understood by referring to Figure 3. When the forward portion of the seat 30 is swung upwardly about the axis defined by the pivots 40, the arms 37 swing downwardly, the studs 42 moving downwardly in the slots 43 formed in each of the legs 16. Thus, as the seat 30 is swung upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, the arms 37 cause the legs 16 to be swung to a position alongside the side rails 12. I This movement of the legs 12 will, however, cause each brace member 45' to be swung upwardly and in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 and Figure 1, the studs 48 moving downwardly in the slots 49. As the brace members 45 are thus swung to a position alongside the side rails 12, their bifurcated ends 51 move in the grooves 29 toward the pivotal connections 23 between the side rails 12 and the arm rests 22, thus swinging the arm rests 22 upwardly to a position substantially in the plane of the chair frame 10 as shown in Figure 2. Since the legs 16 lie alongside the side rails 12 and the seat 30 and the arm rests 22 occupy, respectively, a position between the-side rails 12 and a position outside of, but in the plane of the side rails 12, it will be seen that my chair folds to a very compact position. By pivoting the seat 30 and the brace members 45 to the side rails 12 to swing about fixed axes, an especially strong and sturdy chair is obtained.

While Ihave described, in connection with the accompanying drawing, one preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific structure shown and described but that, in fact, widely different means ma be employed in the practice of the broader aspects 'of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a folding chair, a swinging seat and a pair of spaced side-rails connected thereto, legs pivoted to the side rails and seat, arm rests pivoted'to the side rails, means connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis, said means also being slidably connected with the arm rests and legs whereby relative folding movement of'the latter also moves the arm rests.

2. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon and studs 0n the brace members having sliding movement in the slots of the legs.

3. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a. fixed axis thereon and having sliding connection at their forward ends with the arm rests, and studs at the other end of the brace members and extending into said slots whereby swinging of the legs will turn the brace members about their fixed axis.

4. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said Legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, the for ward portion of said brace members having bifurcated ends embracing a part of each arm rest and slidable therealong, and studs on the brace members having sliding movement in the slots of the legs.

5. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and m ans connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, the forward portion of said brace member having bifurcated ends embracing a part of each arm rest and slidable therealong, rollers on the bifurcated ends, and studs on the brace members having sliding movement in the slots on the legs.

6. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted there to and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, track means mounted on the arms, the brace members having bifurcated ends embracing the track means and provided with inwardly projecting spindles, rollers on the spindles operating in the track means, and studs secured to the brace members and adapted to slide in said slots.

7. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, each comprising a laterally extending surface having a downwardly extending flange, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, a pair of channels placed back to back and secured to the under side of each arm rest, each brace member having a bifurcated end to embrace the channels of one arm rest and provided with spindles and rollers thereon to operate in the channels, and studs riveted to the brace members and operating in the slots on the legs.

8. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, each brace member having a forward bifurcated end formed to extend upwardly and in a plane at right angles to the plane of the portion pivoted to the side rail, means forming grooves secured to the under side of the arm rests and embraced by the bifurcations on the brace members,'bearing means mounted on the bifurcated end of each brace member and engaged in the grooves, and means near the other end of said brace member for slidably operatingin the slots in the pivoted legs.

9. A folding chair comprising spaced apart side rails, a seat and legs pivoted thereto and connected with each other, said legs having slots near their upper ends, arm rests pivoted to the side rails, and means connecting the arm rests to the legs comprising brace members pivotally connected to the side rails to swing about a fixed axis thereon, means on each arm rest forming a groove, each brace member having a turned over forward end to operatively engage said groove, and means on the other end of each brace member operatively engaging within the slot in the corresponding le 10. In a folding chair, a pair of spaced side rails, a seat pivoted to the side rails and having a pair of rearwardlyextending arms welded thereto, a stud mounted on the end of each arm, legs pivoted to the side rails and having slots to slidably receive the studs on the arms, whereby when the seat is folded upwardly to swing about its pivoted support on the side rails the studs on the arms move downwardly in the slots of the legs to fold the same against the side rails, arm rests pivoted to the side rails above the seat and extending forwardly therefrom, a brace pivoted to each rail and having a sliding connection with the corresponding arm rest at its forward end and a sliding connection with the corresponding leg whereby when the legs are folded against the side rails the arm rests are pivoted upwardly to lie in the plane of the side rails.

11. In combination, a chair frame, arm rest means pivoted to said frame and swingable into position extending from the front of the frame and into folded position with respect to the frame, leg means pivoted to the frame and swingable into position extending from the rear of the frame and into folded position with respect to the frame, and means having 'fixed pivotal connection with said frame and connected at opposite ends to said arm rest means and said leg means for swinging the leg means and arm rest means into extended and folded positions.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 10 day of May, 1930,

JOSEPH SILVERMAN.

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